Chapter 335: Work

"Do you want some?" Miss Luo Quan handed the Dabao to Su Yu.

Su Yu hurriedly waved her hand: "We'll talk about it later. We'll talk about it later."

"By the way, are we supposed to queue up, or are we going in together later?" Miss Luo Quan glanced inside from outside the studio. There were staff members coming and going, and no star was singing.

Su Yu wasn't very clear either: "We should be going in together later, right?"

After waiting outside for a few minutes, a young man wearing a vest came out and said to the stars in the corridor: "Everyone, the auditions have begun."

Hearing that the auditions had begun, the stars took off running inside. Because they were in the CCTV building, they didn't lose their composure like grandpas and grandmas rushing for a supermarket promotion, but they still surged into the studio with great momentum, forcibly squeezing the staff member who had come out to call them back in.

Lan Xuan wanted to squeeze in, but Miss Luo Quan and Su Yu cared more about their image, just standing in place and waiting for the main group to go in before walking inside.

Lan Xuan, who couldn't squeeze in, saw the two people behind her looking as leisurely as old folks out for a stroll, and her anger flared: "You two aren't anxious at all. There are only nine programs in total. If we aren't proactive, with so many people, how will it ever be our turn?"

Su Yu muttered: "Whether we're anxious or not, it's still up to the Xu Fudao."

"I know this Xu Fudao; he's an acquaintance." Miss Luo Quan laughed, her face calm.

"Acquaintance?!" Lan Xuan lowered her voice, but her tone was very surprised.

Miss Luo Quan explained: "This is Director Huang. He was the lead director for *Creation Girls' Generation*. He's a director with a very good temper, it's just that I haven't been in contact for a while."

Lan Xuan continued to ask in a low voice: "Then can you open a back door or something?"

Miss Luo Quan shook her head: "I don't know. After all, this is a CCTV program. Even if a Xu Fudao has the heart, he doesn't have the ability. It's best not to trouble people. Relying on one's own ability can avoid a lot of criticism."

Lan Xuan smiled awkwardly: "That's true too."

Seeing Lan Xuan like this, Miss Luo Quan also felt something in her heart.

To gain a foothold in the entertainment industry, most people's principles of conduct are quite utilitarian. Those with connections use connections, and those with relationships use relationships. Only when there's really no other way do they rely on their own ability. The result is all kinds of criticism about people bringing money into the crew or stuffing people in.

In the past, she looked down on such things, but after signing Su Yu, she knew that she would inevitably do such things in the future, and she felt a sense of conflict in her heart.

People will eventually become the person they hate. The deeper she gets in contact with this world, the more the values she established in the past will change.

Sighing softly, Miss Luo Quan followed Su Yu and found a seat in the studio.

Stretching her neck to look around, she wanted to see if there were any acquaintances, and to her surprise, she actually found one.

It was her senior sister from Shangyi, Kong Yue. Ever since she withdrew from *I Am a Singer*, the two hadn't chatted for a long time.

It was said that after she withdrew, the show's viewership plummeted by 35%, returning to the average level of the previous seasons, and the topic popularity was no longer what it was when it first started.

In the new episode, that Director Zheng pulled some stunts, creating conflicts for the guests and stirring up trouble online, but the data after the broadcast was a disaster, and he was fired the next day.

After Director Zheng was fired, Mango TV called Miss Luo Quan again, hoping she would return, but Miss Luo Quan politely declined.

Just kidding, one "True Fragrance" incident was enough; how could she come back a second time?

When she withdrew, it caused a huge uproar. They didn't give her a straight answer then, and now that the data was failing, they were just putting on a show. What did they take her for?

In short, although both sides were still polite on the surface and didn't say anything excessive, both sides knew that there would likely never be any cooperation in the future.

Because of the program, Miss Luo Quan didn't contact other singers after withdrawing. In fact, even when she hadn't withdrawn, she didn't have much contact with others, except for Kong Yue.

The two had interacted a few times on Weibo, but that was just liking a few posts and forwarding them.

Meeting again today in the CCTV studio, Miss Luo Quan waved at her from several rows away.

Kong Yue was originally chatting with a staff member, but soon saw Miss Luo Quan and immediately walked over.

"I knew you would come today. I've been waiting for you in the studio since early morning." Kong Yue sat down next to Miss Luo Quan happily.

"How did you know?"

"There are only a few singers with popularity and strength recently. How could they not invite you? Don't look at the audition; it's actually just a formality."

Miss Luo Quan nodded: "What about you? Have you auditioned?"

"I'm from the Art Troupe, so I don't need to audition." Kong Yue laughed as she said this: "And what I'm going to sing this time is *Little River Flows*, the version you adapted."

Miss Luo Quan didn't have the copyright for her cover of *Little River Flows*. Even though she had adapted it, she hadn't registered the copyright for the adaptation.

It was mainly because she didn't think this adaptation was worth applying for copyright. After all, the original song was a classic folk song, which meant anyone could sing her version. So when CCTV used it, they didn't specifically notify her.

Seeing Miss Luo Quan clearly stunned, Kong Yue laughed: "One look at your expression and I know the director didn't tell you. But this was just decided, and I was planning to tell you in person anyway."

Miss Luo Quan didn't care at all: "What's the big deal? You just sing it. My adaptation was just adding a piece of clothing to the original song; it doesn't count as original."

"Adaptation is also a form of creation. Your version has brought new meaning to this song. In the future, *Little River Flows* at galas will basically be your way of singing. The significance is no less than an original." Kong Yue sighed: "Actually, if you hadn't withdrawn this time, the King of Songs would likely have been yours. That Director Zheng really had no clue."

Miss Luo Quan was suddenly curious: "By the way, did he make you change your musical style?"

Kong Yue nodded: "Of course. He interferes with all the singers' song choices. But because I wanted to sing pop this time anyway, he didn't offer too many opinions, just told me to choose slightly more popular songs."

"Actually, I didn't want to participate in this *I Am a Singer* thing at all. But the troupe kept wanting us public servants to be more grounded, so they signed many people up for variety shows. I was the unluckiest; I went to Mango TV."

Miss Luo Quan smiled without saying anything after hearing this. It seems Mango TV's reputation in the circle is really bad.

"Let's not talk about these frustrating things. Let's talk about this Mid-Autumn Festival Gala. You can't have come empty-handed for the audition, right?" Kong Yue looked at Miss Luo Quan excitedly: "Is there a new adaptation this time, or did you come out with a new song directly?"

"It counts as a new song." Miss Luo Quan nodded. "It's a song written using Su Shi's *Water Melody* as lyrics. The style is relatively retro."

"*Water Melody* is great. The number one poem about the moon, ancient or modern. This makes me look forward to it so much."

Miss Luo Quan smiled shyly and didn't speak.

This song was indeed worth looking forward to. After all, this was a famous song by the Chinese diva Teresa Teng from her past life. Although the style was indeed a bit old, full of the flavor of the 1970s and 80s, it would appear even more solemn and full of charm when brought out on a big occasion like the Mid-Autumn Festival Gala.

Actually, the version by another Chinese diva, Faye Wong, was also very good, and the style was more pop. However, after careful consideration, Miss Luo Quan still used the original version.

The two sat in the studio chatting intermittently. In front, the stars were exerting all their efforts, wanting to win a spot from the director, but most of them were just shouting, only meeting the Xu Fudao's requirements for traffic.

After everyone auditioned, the Xu Fudao didn't announce the results immediately, just nodded and said "next."

While Miss Luo Quan and Kong Yue were chatting, Lan Xuan also pulled Su Yu to the front, thinking that auditioning early would leave a deep impression on the Xu Fudao.

Unfortunately, although Su Yu had a nice voice, she had never learned to sing. Her singing was too dry and lacked any technique. When they returned, both were dejected, likely knowing there was no hope.

Miss Luo Quan comforted them: "Don't be discouraged. It's just a Mid-Autumn Festival Gala. You can still go when you become famous later, and you might even be able to skip the audition."

Su Yu complained: "I told you I can't sing. I graduated from the acting department, but I had to come and audition. Just now, many people were staring at me and laughing."

Lan Xuan was also between laughter and tears: "Alright, alright, I won't let you sing next time."

Miss Luo Quan checked her watch. It wasn't early anymore. She stood up, intending to cut in line, get the program settled quickly, and go back to the hotel to rest. After the rehearsal tomorrow, she had to go back to Shanghai to find a place for Su Yu to settle down.

Although it was cutting in line, Miss Luo Quan was never someone who bullied others with power. She just moved from the back rows to the front. Director Huang, who had been busy auditioning stars, didn't notice Miss Luo Quan. Seeing a "big god" suddenly appear in front of him, he was both surprised and happy: "Teacher Miss Luo Quan is here."

Miss Luo Quan couldn't hold back her laughter: "Director Huang, you're more than ten years older than me, yet you still call me 'Teacher'. I can't accept that. Besides, the program is already over."

Director Huang was stunned, then laughed: "Hey, I got used to calling you that before and couldn't change it for a moment."

"By the way, are you here to audition too?"

Miss Luo Quan nodded: "Yes. CCTV invited me, so I came. After all, I've debuted for so long and haven't been on CCTV yet."

These plain, unadorned words sounded like bragging to the ears of the stars on the side.

Listen to that: "Debuted for so long and haven't been on CCTV yet..."

Many artists might not have the chance to appear on a CCTV program in their entire lives, let alone a big annual occasion like the Mid-Autumn Festival Gala!

Director Huang laughed: "It should just be a formality. Since they invited you, how could they not arrange a program for you?"

Miss Luo Quan hurriedly corrected: "Please don't say that. CCTV is such a serious place; it must be based on ability. Just use the same standards as everyone else."

Director Huang nodded: "Okay, then you go ahead and audition. Because the singing program for this time hasn't been decided yet, just sing any song."

"Actually, for this Mid-Autumn Festival Gala, I specifically composed a piece using Su Shi's *Water Melody* for the lyrics. I wonder if I can sing it?"

Director Huang looked expectant: "As long as it's a good song, just sing it."

Hearing this, Miss Luo Quan felt relieved. She walked directly to the front, picked up the microphone, and sang a cappella:

"When will the moon be clear and bright? With a cup of wine in my hand, I ask the blue sky."

"I do not know what time of year it would be tonight in the heavens on high."

"..."

Although it was a cappella, the sound equipment in the CCTV studio was quite good, allowing everyone to clearly hear Miss Luo Quan's beautiful singing voice, which was like the music of the immortals.

The melody was good, and the lyrics were even more famous throughout the ages. Combined with Miss Luo Quan's singing, there was no need to elaborate on how excellent it was.

The stars had been a bit worried before, thinking that since Miss Luo Quan was so familiar with Xu Fudao Huang, would she directly secure a spot? Now thinking about it, it was really funny.

With this kind of strength, what difference did it make whether it was secured or not? In any case, she would definitely have a spot in this Mid-Autumn Festival Gala.

It was exactly as Xu Fudao Huang said; Miss Luo Quan was just here to go through the motions.

After singing the main and chorus parts once, Miss Luo Quan put down the microphone. Before she could speak, several male stars applauded and cheered.

"It sounds great! If this song isn't in the Mid-Autumn Festival Gala, it would be against the laws of nature!" After listening, Director Huang expressed his inclination even though the audition hadn't ended yet.

However, he didn't care about these minor details. Being entrusted by CCTV with the heavy responsibility of Xu Fudao and in charge of music programs, he himself had considerable research on Chinese music.

Responsibly speaking, this song by Miss Luo Quan was definitely one of the best works in Chinese songs about the Mid-Autumn moon. In fact, one could remove the "one of"!

Of course, this was his own subjective view. Whether the public recognized it was the public's business, but as a Xu Fudao, he certainly couldn't let this song go.

Director Huang asked Miss Luo Quan: "What is the name of this song? *Water Melody*?"

"It's called *May We All Be Blessed with Longevity*."

"The name has a very good meaning." Director Huang sighed, and finally wrote the words "Miss Luo Quan: *May We All Be Blessed with Longevity*" in his little notebook.

The stars present had sharp eyes and were very observant, immediately realizing that Miss Luo Quan had successfully passed the audition and officially entered the performance list for the Mid-Autumn Festival Gala.

At the same time, they also started to recall how many times Director Huang had moved his pen just now.

Unfortunately, the audition time was too long, and many people were bored sitting below, constantly playing with their phones. Where would they have the energy to pay attention to these things?

After Director Huang finished writing, he said to Miss Luo Quan: "Let's leave it at that for now. Pay attention to the notification tonight. There should be tasks tomorrow."

"Okay, then you go ahead and get busy. I'll leave first." Miss Luo Quan smiled and said goodbye to Director Huang, returning to Kong Yue and the others. "Senior sister, I passed the audition, so I won't stay long. See you tomorrow."

Kong Yue also stood up, preparing to go home: "Alright. Many leaders are coming tomorrow, I'll explain it to you then."

Su Yu looked on with admiration: "As expected of the boss, she passed so easily."

Miss Luo Quan smiled calmly: "Don't admire me. You'll be able to reach my level in the future!"

PS: Thanks to L224 for the book coins, thank you! ===== CHAPTER 336 =====